Washington Administrative Code

(1) You must communicate your PPE selection decision to each at-risk employee.(2) You must provide training to each employee who is required to use PPE on the job. Each affected employee must be trained to know at least the following:(a) When PPE is necessary.(b) What PPE is nece…

You must retrain an employee when you have reason to believe the understanding, motivation, and skills required to use the PPE has not been retained. Circumstances where retraining is required include:(1) Changes in the workplace that make previous training out of date.(2) Change…

You must document in writing that each employee using PPE has received and understood the required training. This documentation must include:(1) Name of each employee.(2) Date(s) of training.(3) Subject of the training.Note:Documentation may be stored on a computer as long as it …

You must require your employees to use necessary PPE on the job.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 18-22-116, § 296-800-16040, filed 11/6/18, effective 12/7/18. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and [49.17].050. WSR 01-11-…

(1) You must make sure all PPE is safe for the work to be performed. It must:(a) Be durable.(b) Fit snugly.(c) Not interfere with the employee's movements.(2) You must make sure PPE is used and maintained in a clean and reliable condition.Defective equipment MUST NOT be used.(3) …

(1) You must make sure that employees exposed to hazards that could injure their eyes and/or face use appropriate protection. Examples of these hazards include:(a) Flying particles.(b) Molten metal.(c) Liquid chemicals.(d) Acids or caustic liquids.(e) Chemical gases or vapors.(f)…

(1) You must make sure employees wear appropriate protective helmets.(a) Where employees are exposed to hazards that could cause a head injury. Examples of this type of hazard include:(i) Flying or propelled objects.(ii) Falling objects or materials.(b) Where employees are workin…

(1) You must use appropriate foot protection.(a) Where employees are exposed to hazards that could injure their feet. Examples of these hazards are:(i) Falling objects.(ii) Rolling objects.(iii) Piercing/cutting injuries.(iv) Electrical hazards.(b) That meets the specifications o…

(1) You must make sure employees exposed to hazards that could injure their hands use appropriate hand protection. Examples of these hazards include:(a) Absorbing harmful substances.(b) Severe cuts, lacerations or abrasions.(c) Punctures.(d) Chemical burns and/or thermal burns.(e…

(1) You must provide and make sure your employees wear personal flotation devices (PFD) when they work in areas where the danger of drowning exists, such as:(a) On the water.(b) Over the water.(c) Alongside the water.Note:Employees are not exposed to the danger of drowning when: …

(1) Every employer that does not require employees or contractors to wear a specific type of personal protective equipment as determined under the PPE hazard assessment, employer policy, or where otherwise required to comply with safety and health standards rules, must allow its …

WAC SectionsHTMLPDF296-800-099Definitions.HTMLPDF296-800-100Introduction.EMPLOYER RESPONSIBILITIES: SAFE WORKPLACEHTMLPDF296-800-110Employer responsibilities: Safe workplace—Summary.HTMLPDF296-800-11005Provide a workplace free from recognized hazards.HTMLPDF296-800-11010Provide a…

WAC SectionsHTMLPDF296-800-099Definitions.HTMLPDF296-800-100Introduction.EMPLOYER RESPONSIBILITIES: SAFE WORKPLACEHTMLPDF296-800-110Employer responsibilities: Safe workplace—Summary.HTMLPDF296-800-11005Provide a workplace free from recognized hazards.HTMLPDF296-800-11010Provide a…

Important: Exposure records contain information about employees' exposure to toxic substances or harmful physical agents. Safety data sheets (SDSs) are one type of exposure record. The preservation of and access to exposure records is necessary to improve detection, treatment, an…

You must keep safety data sheets (SDSs) and analysis using SDSs for at least thirty years, including current, former, and future employers receiving transferred records. Preserve SDSs in any form, as long as the information is not altered and is retrievable. You may keep alternat…

(1) You must inform current employees who are, or will be exposed to a toxic chemical of:Note:A chemical is toxic if: • The latest printed edition of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS) lists t…

(1) You must provide access, whenever requested by an employee or their designated representative, to a relevant exposure record:(a) In a reasonable time, place, and manner.(b) Within fifteen working days. If the employer cannot meet this requirement, they must inform the request…

(1) You must transfer all safety data sheets (SDSs) as exposure records to the successor employer, who must do the following to these records:(a) Received.(b) Preserve.(c) Keep unchanged.(2) You must if there is no successor to receive and preserve the employee exposure records:(…

You must provide a safety bulletin board.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 18-22-116, § 296-800-190, filed 11/6/18, effective 12/7/18. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and [49.17].050. WSR 01-11-038, § 296-800-190, filed…

You must install and maintain a safety bulletin board in every fixed workplace (establishment) that has eight or more employees. Make sure the safety bulletin board is large enough to post information such as the following:(1) Safety bulletins.(2) Safety newsletters.(3) Safety po…

You must post the job safety and health law poster, which informs your employees of their job safety and health protection rights.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 18-22-116, § 296-800-200, filed 11/6/18, effective 12/7/18. Statutory Au…

You must post it where it can easily be seen by employees and keep it in good condition.Note:• Other programs within labor and industries may require other workplace posters. These are: – Job safety and health protection – Notice to employees—If a job injury occurs – Your rights …

Your responsibility: To provide and maintain adequate lighting in your workplace.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and [49.17].050. WSR 01-11-038, § 296-800-210, filed 5/9/01, effective 9/1/01.]

Note:This section establishes minimal levels of lighting for safety purposes only. Guidelines pertaining to optimal levels of lighting and illumination may be found in Practice for Industrial Lighting, ANSI/IES RP7-1979. (See the resource section of this book on how to contact AN…

Your responsibility:To provide your employees with a clean, dry, pest-free workplace.Note:The introduction has important information about building, electrical and fire codes that may apply to you in addition to WISHA rules. See "How do the WISHA rules relate to building, fire, a…

You must keep all areas of you workplace, passageways, storage rooms, and service rooms in a clean, orderly and sanitary condition to the extent the nature of the work allows.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 18-22-116, § 296-800-22005,…

(1) You must sweep and clean your workplace in a way that minimizes dust in the air as much as possible.(2) You must, when practical, clean after hours so that your employees are not exposed to dust in the air on the job.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, …

You must keep your workplace clear of obstructions such as nails, splinters, loose boards and unnecessary holes and openings to make cleaning easier and more effective.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 18-22-116, § 296-800-22015, filed …

(1) You must make sure each building in your workplace is constructed, equipped and maintained so it restricts pests from entering or living in it. Pests include animals such as:(a) Rodents (rats, mice, and squirrels).(b) Birds (starlings, pigeons, and swallows).(c) Insects (bees…

(1) You must make sure floors are kept free of debris. This includes:(a) Buildings.(b) Platforms.(c) Walkways and driveways.(d) Storage yards.(e) Docks.(2) You must use a nonslip coating on all polished floors.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.0…

You must do the following to help keep your employees dry if wet processes are used in your work area:(1) Maintain drainage away from the work area; and(2) Provide false floors, platforms, or other dry places where employees can stand, where practical; or(3) Provide appropriate w…

You must provide all areas where employees work, such as yards, basements, or garages, with adequate drainage.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 18-22-116, § 296-800-22030, filed 11/6/18, effective 12/7/18. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17…

(1) You must store materials so they do not create a hazard.(2) You must keep workplace storage areas free from accumulation of materials that could create hazards from tripping, fire, or explosion.(3) You must secure stored items such as bundles, containers, and bags to prevent …

You must control vegetation in your storage areas when necessary to create a safe working environment.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 18-22-116, § 296-800-22040, filed 11/6/18, effective 12/7/18. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [4…

Your responsibility:You must provide safe drinking (potable) water, bathrooms, washing facilities, eating areas and garbage and waste disposal in your workplace.General requirements for all workplaces.You must meet the requirements…in this section:Drinking waterProvide safe drink…

(1) You must provide safe drinking (potable) water for employees for:(a) Washing themselves.(b) Personal service rooms.(c) Cooking.(d) Washing premises where food is prepared or processed.(e) Washing food, eating utensils, or clothing.(2) You must make sure when providing movable…

(1) You must mark water outlets that are not fit for drinking (nonpotable), such as those used for industrial processes or firefighting, so they will not be used for:(a) Drinking.(b) Washing themselves, except in emergencies.(c) Cooking.(d) Washing food, eating utensils, or cloth…

You must make sure that systems delivering not-fit-for-drinking (nonpotable) water prevent backflow into drinking water systems.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 18-22-116, § 296-800-23015, filed 11/6/18, effective 12/7/18. Statutory Au…

Exemption:You do not have to provide bathrooms: For mobile crews or at work locations not normally attended by employees, if there is transportation immediately available to nearby bathrooms that meet the requirements of this section.(1) You must provide bathrooms with the approp…

Exemption:You do not have to provide washing facilities for: • Mobile crews or work locations not normally attended by employees, if there is immediately available transportation to nearby washing facilities that meet the requirements of this rule.You must provide convenient and …

(1) You must make sure employees are not allowed to eat and drink in:(a) Bathrooms.(b) Areas exposed to toxic substances.(2) You must make sure food is not stored in bathrooms or areas exposed to toxic substances.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.1…

(1) You must make sure all food service facilities and operations you make available follow sound hygiene principles.(2) You must make sure the food is:(a) Unspoiled.(b) Protected from contamination during processing, preparation, handling, and storage.[Statutory Authority: RCW 4…

(1) You must make sure garbage containers are:(a) Kept in a clean and sanitary condition.(b) Made from smooth, corrosion resistant materials.(c) Easily cleaned or are disposable.(d) Equipped with a solid tight-fitting cover unless you can keep them in a sanitary condition without…

You must remove all sweepings, solid and liquid wastes, refuse, and garbage as often as needed to keep the workplace in a sanitary condition.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 18-22-116, § 296-800-23055, filed 11/6/18, effective 12/7/18;…

(1) You must provide a lunchroom separate from the work area if employees are exposed to toxic substances.(2) You must use Table 2 to determine the required square footage in your lunchroom based on the number of employees using the room at any one time.Table 2Maximum Number of E…

(1) You must provide showers for employees if:(a) They work with chemicals that could cause an occupational illness; and(b) The chemicals remain on the skin between work shifts.(2) You must make sure employees who work with such chemicals shower at the end of their shifts.(a) Mak…

(1) You must provide change rooms when employees are required by a particular standard to wear protective clothing because of the possibility of contamination with toxic materials.(2) You must make sure change rooms have separate storage facilities for street clothes and protecti…

You must make sure when providing work clothes to employees that the clothing provided is dry if the clothing:(1) Gets wet during use; or(2) Is washed before it is reused.[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 18-22-116, § 296-800-23075, fil…

Your responsibility:You must eliminate exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in your office work environment.You must meet the requirements …in this section:Prohibit tobacco smoke in your office work environmentWAC 296-800-24005Note:This rule does not preempt any federal, state…

Exemption: The minimum criteria specified in this rule do not apply to outdoor structures provided for smokers such as gazebos or lean-tos that maintain the twenty-five feet distance from entrances, exits, windows that open, and ventilation intakes that serve an enclosed area whe…